High Cholesterol Does A Body Good: Big Pharma LIED once again

Let me be the first to enlighten you that higher cholesterol might actually help you live longer and think better! Say what? I know this may be the first time you have ever heard this but read on for more.

A little bit of back story so you can see why I am so compelled to speak on this topic. For many years as I struggled with multiple chronic illnesses such as Graves' Disease, Crohn's, Fibromyalgia and many more I would get my bloodwork done regularly. Often, I was told that the only "normal/healthy" results were that my cholesterol was at a normal range. That range that misinformed doctors told me was normal was in the one hundreds and although the lab results claim it as normal it was very low and indeed aggravating many of my issues. Fast forward to now; healed, healthy and happy; the ONLY results that consistently show up in the red aka "out of range" are my cholesterol levels because they are double what they use to be!

I want to dive into this topic, and it might surprise a lot of you and most likely even challenge some long-held beliefs about cholesterol. You’ve probably heard the usual story: “High cholesterol is bad for you. It clogs your arteries. It leads to heart attacks.” But what if I show you that some recent science is showing a different, more nuanced picture? That higher cholesterol, especially as we get older might actually be linked to living longer and even having better brain health.

Get cozy because this is one of those topics that’s equal parts fascinating and highly controversial (my favorite!). But as always, I’m here to share the science in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to read!

The Cholesterol Paradox: When Higher Levels Can Be a Good Thing

For decades, we’ve been told to keep our cholesterol low, especially LDL he so-called “bad” cholesterol. But when scientists started looking at people in their 80s, 90s, and even beyond, something curious popped up. Multiple studies found that higher total cholesterol levels were associated with longer life and lower mortality in older adults. I don't know about you but I want to live well past 100 & I plan to be thriving!

This phenomenon is called the “cholesterol paradox.” It flips the script on the typical cholesterol story and tells us that cholesterol’s role in our health isn’t black and white.

Where is the Science you ask? Here’s one solid example from a 2024 review published in Frontiers in Endocrinology that looked at cholesterol and mortality in the elderly:

• They found that people over 85 with higher cholesterol lived longer than those with lower cholesterol.

• The relationship looked more like a U-shaped curve meaning very low cholesterol might actually be a marker of frailty or illness rather than good health.

• You can read the full article here

Fighting Dementia and Alzheimer’s?

The plot thickens when we look at cholesterol’s relationship with brain health. Some studies suggest that higher cholesterol levels in late life may be linked to a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. I know this sounds counterintuitive but take a look at what researchers think:

• Cholesterol is essential for brain function, it’s involved in building cell membranes, producing hormones, and even forming synapses (connections between neurons).

• A 2022 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that elderly individuals with higher cholesterol had better cognitive function and a lower risk of developing dementia.

• This suggests that extremely low cholesterol in old age could be a red flag for other health issues.

• Check out that study here

Scientists are now saying that if high cholesterol isn’t always the villain it might actually be protective for older adults.

1. Reverse Causality: Illness or frailty often causes cholesterol levels to drop, so low cholesterol might just be a sign of poor health rather than the cause.

2. Cholesterol’s Roles: It’s vital for hormone production, immune function, and repair processes, which may be more important as we age.

What Does This Mean for YOU?

If you’re an older adult, especially 85+, your cholesterol numbers might not tell the whole story. Some doctors are starting to rethink how aggressively to lower cholesterol in the elderly. Always talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you personally. But with that being said here are some crazy facts:

• The #1 most prescribed medication in America is Atrovastatin (lipitor); cholesterol lowering prescription medication.

• Nearly half of U.S. adults (28%) are on these meds or ones similar.

• Over half of diagnosed adults take medication to manage it.

Top ten reported side effects to cholesterol lowering medications:

• Muscle pain or aches

• Headaches

• Nausea or stomach upset

• Mild increase in blood sugar levels

• Joint aches

• Liver enzyme changes

• Fatigue or weakness

• Memory or cognitive changes

• Rhabdomyolysis (rare)

• Allergic reactions or rash

Still worried because of decades of brain washing. This is what I recommend for clients who are concerned about high cholesterol. Why don't to request a Coronary Calcium Scan or something similar that can measure calcium deposits in the arteries which indicates plaque buildup. You know that having high cholesterol is no proof that your arteries are clogged and that is truly the only real concern. So stop allowing the blood work numbers to scare you when you have no real proof there is anything clogged.

If you are like me and want to geek out a bit more, here’s a great video explaining the cholesterol paradox and the latest science behind it:

🎥 High Cholesterol, Longer Life: Cholesterol Paradox Explained

Science is always evolving, and health advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. The cholesterol story is a perfect example of how what we were taught as “fact” can shift when we look at the full picture such as age, genetics, lifestyle, and more. So let’s keep an open mind, stay curious, and remember that cholesterol isn’t the enemy it’s often made out to be, especially as we age. Big Pharma is the enemy though but that is a discussion for another time!

Thanks for reading! Drop a comment or DM if you want me to dive into more health myths or science topics next. Until then, keep moving, keep learning, and keep loving yourself.